Chandler Smith, a Rookie of The Year (ROTY) contender in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, will not be returning to Kaulig Racing for a second season in 2024, the organization officially announced in a statement on Sunday.
Smith, the driver of the No. 16 Chevrolet Camaro, joined the organization at the start of the season, in what was originally supposed to be a multi-year agreement between the Talking Rock, Georgia-native and the race-winning NASCAR National Series team.
In just his 10th start in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the 21-year-old driver recorded his first victory in the second-tier series at Richmond Raceway, after a couple of close calls to begin what has been a strong rookie campaign with the organization.
With just two races – Martinsville and Phoenix – remaining on the Xfinity Series calendar for this season, Smith has recorded one victory, along with eight finishes inside the top-five, and 12 top-10s, along with three pole positions.
In addition to his full-time slate in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Smith has been fortunate enough to run a partial schedule in the NASCAR Cup Series – also for Kaulig Racing – where in three starts, he’s recorded finished of 17th, 15th, and 11th, most-recently at Talladega Superspeedway.
Per an early-season press release, Smith is scheduled to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series season-finale at Phoenix Raceway, driving the No. 13 QuickTie Products, Inc. Chevrolet Camaro.
Kaulig Racing will determine and announce its plans for the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season in the coming weeks, per the team’s statement.
As for Smith, who is currently still alive in the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship fight – despite being in a must-win situation heading to Martinsville – the former Toyota Racing Development driver is linked to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2024.
